In the first week of March 2021 the Department of State updated its requirements for granting a National Interest Exception to people who had been in the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, or Ireland within 14 days prior to entering the U.S. (see also Presidential Proclamation 10143). Previous guidance stated that technical experts and specialists, senior-level… Read More
Don’t drop the Canadian trailer off in the U.S. and then have the Canadian driver pick it up for delivery in the U.S.
Canadian truck drivers can take a load from Canada and drop it off in the U.S. Canadian truck drivers can also pick up a load in the U.S. and bring it back to Canada. Currently, they are exempt from many of the restrictions on crossing the border in both countries. Canadian drivers cannot, however, is… Read More
Immigration risks of California’s expedited cannabis licensing program
Cross-posted at lexcannabis.net On February 9, 2021 I received an e-mail from the California Bureau of Cannabis Control. According to this e-mail, refugees and asylum seekers “who apply for licensure by the Bureau of Cannabis Control may seek an expedited licensure process.” In an apparent attempt to help, the State of California may be unwittingly… Read More
The proceeds of an unsecured loan are “cash” for EB-5 purposes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the investor’s capital was lawfully obtained or placed at risk
Foreign nationals may obtain a green card if they invest the required amount of capital in a new commercial enterprise that will create ten full-time permanent jobs for U.S. citizens or permanent residents (INA § 203(b)(5); 8 USC § 1153(b)(5)). To “invest” means to “contribute capital” (in exchange for equity rather than a promise for… Read More
What Canadians Can Do in the U.S. Right Now
All of the benefits available to Canadians under U.S. immigration law remain in place, however, the procedures for requesting these benefits have changed. While the new procedures may be more burdensome, some Canadians may find that the benefits of coming to the U.S. continue to offset any additional burden. With careful planning Canadians can continue… Read More
New US Travel Restrictions
On January 12, 2021 the Center for Disease Control issued a new order restricting air travel to the United States. Beginning on January 26, 2021, all passengers on flights entering the United States must present a negative COVID test prior to boarding their flight. The test must be conducted within 3 days prior to departure.… Read More
Client account of the naturalization ceremony during 2020 pandemic
As of mid-September 2020 naturalization interviews and ceremonies were proceeding at the USCIS field office in Seattle with social distancing and COVID-19 protocols in place. Unlike previous accounts of the final step of the naturalization process, this naturalization interview and ceremony followed a different procedures to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Like so many… Read More
Firm Update – COVID-19
Pacific Northwest Cross Border Law remains fully operational. I have access to files, and the continued capacity to correspond by e-mail, telephone, fax, and traditional mail. Most of my firm’s operations have shifted to a temporary home office, a five-minute commute from the firm’s commercial space. Many US immigration agencies have closed their offices, however,… Read More
Unsealing pardoned records for US travel purposes
Canadians who have been convicted of a crime may need to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility before they can once again seek admission to the U.S. Although not specifically required, court and prison records may be requested by the Admissibility Review Office after an applicant has submitted a waiver application. If an applicant has… Read More
Tracking Down Tax Transcripts
Many green card petitions will require at least one tax tax transcript at some point in the process. For example, most sponsors on an Affidavit of Support must submit their tax transcript for the most recent year, and should be prepared to submit their transcripts for the most recent three years (unless exempt from filing… Read More
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